'Show yourself'

The hooded figure turned to the rugged ranger and laughed. Aragorn noted the man's scar over his lip.

'You think I will cause you harm?' the figure questioned darkly.

Aragorn held himself and walked to the bars, ''An ally would reveal his identity. As you are refusing, I can only assume you are here to cause harm.''

'Harm? No. I am not here to harm you or your companions. I am simply a messenger.''

'A messenger for what?' Suddenly Boromir's voice cut in and the hooded figure swiftly moved his head towards the Gondorian.

'Silence! I will speak only to one of you', hissed the figure. Boromir clenched his teeth with rage. The figure turned his head back to Aragorn.

'I come to you with a message from my master. He is waiting and soon he will greet you. However, he does not want his precious prisoners wasting away, therefore he has been generous enough to offer you bread and water.'

Pippin's face lit up, 'Food Merry, and water!'

'Yes, I heard him too Pip' Merry nudged him in his side with his elbow to quieten him down.

The mysterious messenger continued, 'The door will open soon, and you will be brought bread and water to you. You must all stay at the back of the cell. Anyone that even moves an inch will be beaten, do you understand?'

Aragorn nodded reluctantly. The figure nodded and walked out of the building, As soon as the door closed, Gimli let out a huge sigh.

'Well, that was…...useful.' He remarked curiously.

Legolas frowned, 'Useful?'

'Aye Elf, useful' Gimli stroked his beard in thought. 'This 'messenger' whoever he may be has slipped up.'

'How so?' questioned Boromir

'He was trying to be mysterious, but we have learnt a lot about him. He is a human, not very old. Though tall, he isn't particularly broad.'

There was a silence as Gimli's friends stared at him with bewilderment.

'I still do not understand what you are suggesting master dwarf' Legolas asked.

Gimli sighed, 'It shows us that we are not dealing with orcs or Uruk Hai. We are being imprisoned by men. Without causing offence to you both, Boromir, and Aragorn, but this bodes well in our favour. We could all defeat them, even the hobbits.'

'That is all very well Gimli', began Boromir, However, we do not know how many men are outside, or what weapons they may possess.'

'You think I have not considered that as well?' Gimli retorted angrily, ' I was merely saying that if an opportunity arose, we may find it easier than what we originally expected in terms of attacking them.'

Aragorn thought to himself for a moment, 'I understand what you are suggesting Gimli. But if we are low in strength, I can't see how any of us with be able to fight against them.'

Gimli folded him arms and slumped against the wall. He would've sulked a little longer had the door not opened again. The Fellowship all poised attentively, and as agreed, moved to the back of the cell. Two smaller figures, also in cloaked hoods walked in. One was carrying a jug and the other a basket. They stopped at the door, as one pulled out a key and began to open the door. The Fellowship did not speak a word, only stared at the hooded figures, studying them curiously. The basket and jug was placed on the floor of the cell, and within a second, the cell door was closed shut again.

'Enjoy' said one of the men before returning back outside. Aragorn shook his head in disgust at the man's sarcastic remark. However, even he was relieved to have food and water. It wasn't long before Pippin darted towards the basket.

'What is it Pip?' asked Merry quickly.

'Bread, six loaves of bread.' He responded.

'Seems rather generous' questioned Boromir. Aragorn nodded in agreement.

'Who are we to complain, we must restore our strength. There is enough here for a loaf each.' Retorted that dwarf.

Aragorn did not respond, he only stared at the small loaf of bread that was clutched tightly in Pippin's hands. Pippin caught his gaze and gawped at the ranger for some time.

'Wha…what is it Aragorn?' Pippin asked in a rather worried tone, 'Should we not eat it?'

Aragorn turned to Boromir and then to Legolas before eyeing up the bread again. 'It seems too kind to offer us this amount, does no one else feel sceptical about this? Legolas, what do you think?'

Legolas also turned his gaze to the loaf in question and pondered for a short time. 'I do not believe the bread is poisoned. I firmly believe that have merely given us this food in order for us to regain energy. I suspect they will be wanting to move us soon. If you are concerned Aragorn, then perhaps I will try the bread first, and the water for that matter.'

'Why would you do that?' Asked Merry firmly

'Because I am less susceptible to getting ill from poison.' He replied matter-of-factly.

'If you do not mind then Legolas, perhaps you can try for us.' Asked Aragorn.

Legolas nodded and reached for one of the loaves. He tore off a small piece and placed it in his mouth. He gently chewed on it before swallowing and waited for any strange or unusual tastes to come to his mouth. His friends watched his facial expression for any indication of foul play but after some time Legolas nodded and smiled.

'It is not poisoned.'

Pippin sighed with relief, 'Well that's good.'

Legolas then reached for the water and took a small sip. His friends were met with the same good news; it was not poisoned either. It did not take long for the rest of the loaves to be distributed between them all and it certainly was not long before the hobbits had engulfed their food.

'Could've done with a little butter, don't you think.'

Pippin nodded at his cousin's statement, 'Oh yes, it was a little on the dry side, perhaps a little jam as well'.

Boromir and Aragorn laughed

'I will always admire Hobbit's love for food. Even in a dire situation as we find ourselves in, you are still able to put food first.' Smiled Boromir

'Ahhhh yes, it is a gift, you see…'

The door opened again, the metal against the stone screeched so loudly it made them jump. They all became on full alert as they heard footsteps coming towards them. Pippin and Merry had taken refuge in the corner of the cell, staying close to one another for protection. It was not long until a man stood in front of them; his face was worn, tired and his hair was black and scruffy. The dirt on his face was a strong indication to show that he had not washed for a long time. He smiled in a sadistic manner at them, revealing his stained, yellow teeth.

'They are ready for you Sir' he said.

At that very moment, another man joined him. He was taller and broader. He also had a worn face, but past the thick dark beard it was clear to see he was a man of power. His brown, dark, vacant eyes scanned each and every one of the Fellowship. He smiled and laughed loudly. His deep, loud voice echoed through the cell, it sounded so haunting that Pippin took a step back. The man leant up against the cell bars and peered in; his eyes squinted harshly at them.

'Look at me!'

Slowly they turned their attention to the man, pride eating away harshly for Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir.

The man's assistant spoke; 'My name is Teren and this is my master Yorik. You must honour him and do exactly as he tells you to.'

Yorik turned to his assistant and smiled, 'You have done well in capturing them. It can't have been easy.''

Yorik's eyes scanned everyone individually, paying particular attention to the hobbits.

'What strange creatures you are. What are you? And what are your names?'

Merry hesitantly began to answer; 'We are Hobbits, from the Shire. My name is Merry, and this is Pippin'.

Yorik glared at Merry and smiled. His smile suddenly dropped as he turned his attention to the two men, 'Oh how joyous, more men. You are probably as stubborn as I.'' He laughed, '' I will have fun with you two! I am looking for some extra manpower.'' he said sarcastically.

Boromir clenched his fist, doing his best to contain his anger.

Yorik took another stepped and gazed at Gimli, 'Oh, I take that back! We have a Dwarf! Well,you certainly are going to be a stubborn one. Teren you really have succeeded!' he added gleefully, patting Teren on the back.

Gimli suddenly felt Aragorn's arm come across his chest in an attempt to stop the dwarf from attacking. Finally, Yorik turned his attention to Legolas. There was a long pause, as the man eyed Legolas and Legolas eyed him. Yorik face suddenly beamed a huge smile.

'Well, well, well. What do we have here?'

'I thought you might like this one, Master' replied Teren in a happy and proud manner.

''Are my eyes playing tricks on me or is this an elf I see before me?''

Teren smiled like a child, ''It is Master, haven't I done well!''

Yorik smiled in responses, ''You really have, how did you catch him?''

'Oh, he was no match for me. He was easy to take down.'' He laughed whilst looking at the elf.

Yorik turned back to Legolas, ''You are going to be very useful. We are going to have lots of fun but more importantly, you are going to give me a tidy sum of payment.''

Aragorn turned to Legolas, who gave no indication of emotion towards the man.

Yorik took a step closer to the bars and stared deeply into Legolas eyes, ''I've heard many things about your kind. If you use any magic on me or my men, I will not hesitate to kill your friends. You will do as I say or I will ruin that pretty face of yours.''

Yorik smiled at Legolas, revealing his rotting teeth.

'Teren, get the others, it's time to take them outside.'

Teren nodded as Yorik stormed outside.